10 Biggest Mysteries of the Human Body 

Like space and the ocean, much about the human body still remains a mystery. Despite all the years of research and studies, there are still many mysteries of the human body that scientists can’t explain. It seems simple enough on the surface, but the body is complex, consisting of 78 organs made up of cells and tissue.

Beyond the organs, bones, and body parts that make up the human body, it also does many strange things we as humans still don’t quite comprehend. Why do humans yawn? What is the point of an appendix? Is laughter contagious? These questions and more are still unanswered despite decades of research. Let’s dive deep into the human body to uncover all the secrets. 

10 Biggest Mysteries of the Human Body 

1. Why Do We Yawn?

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Despite all the years of yawning experience, scientists still don’t know why humans yawn. They’ve spent decades trying to uncover the mystery of the yawning phenomenon. While there’s no known cause, there are several theories. For instance, researchers believe the body yawns to cool the brain, preventing overheating.

Most individuals assume they yawn out of boredom or feeling tired, but a yawn is more like a reflex from the brain trying to wake the body up. Another possibility for yawning is empathy. Evidence suggests people might yawn if they see or read about someone yawning. The more empathic and closer the relationships, the higher the chance of yawning. 

2. Why Is Laughter Contagious? 

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Sometimes when one person starts laughing, a chain reaction ripples through the party, classroom, or church. That’s because laughter is contagious, literally. Researchers are still not 100% sure why laughter is contagious, however, they have a few possible theories.

The main theory suggests there’s a higher chance that humans will laugh in social settings because they’re empathic. Furthermore, humans tend to laugh when they feel comfortable and safe. That’s because the human brain releases endorphins when we laugh, so when you start laughing around others, their bodies also want to laugh to get their fill of endorphins. 

3. Why Do We Have Fingerprints?

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Fingerprints are possibly the most mysterious part of the human body. Despite all the research and studies, scientists still have no clue what purpose they serve. These little swirly patterns on our fingertips are so unique that no two people have the same ones.

At one point, scientists speculated that fingerprints helped the hand grip objects. However, it’s actually the opposite, as humans can get a better grip with smooth fingertips. There’s still no apparent reason for having fingerprints, but research continues to find out what they are for. 

4. Why Do We Have a Dominant Hand?

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When people discuss superpowers they wish they had, they usually say flying, invisibility, or super strength. Well, having two equally dominant hands might be the superpower we really wish we had. Most people are either right-handed or left-handed, but a few people have two dominant hands, although it’s less common than you might think.

Being ambidextrous is believed to unleash “hidden creativity and even improve memory,” with some famous people with two dominant hands including Benjamin Franklin,  Kobe Bryant, and Nikola Tesla. 

5. Why Do We Have Blood Types? 

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The different blood types are one of the human body’s most baffling puzzles. In addition to giving insight into human evolution, the study of blood types is vital to fighting various illnesses and diseases. One theory proposes that blood types began evolving roughly 20 million years ago with our human ancestors.

Human blood continued to evolve over the centuries to the point where several types of blood became the dominant strains. Scientists are still determining why humans have different blood types like A, B, AB, and O.

6. Why Do We Dream? 

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There’s nothing better than falling into a deep sleep. As we fall asleep, humans drift off to a dream world where everything is possible, but sleep experts still have no answers for why we dream. What is known is that dreaming happens during REM sleep, increasing the heart rate.

Some scientists propose that dreaming is the brain going through the memories of the day, deciding which ones to keep. However, most experts disagree with that theory. Instead, a majority of scientists agree that dreaming has no purpose at all. They claim dreaming is what the unconscious mind does without the stress of our overthinking brains. 

7. Why Do We Have an Appendix? 

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For centuries the appendix has been causing humans intense and excruciating pain. Between 5%-9% of every 100 people develop some type of appendix-related illness. The worst is a bust appendix when the pain becomes so unbearable it requires surgery to remove the organ. Despite all the stress it causes, the appendix doesn’t appear to have a function.

A few theories propose that the appendix guards good bacteria, while Charles Darwin proposed the appendix is a leftover organ from human ancestors who required the appendix to digest plant-based food. Research continues to find a reason for the human appendix. 

8. Why Are Primates so Strong?

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Scientists discovered that humans and primates have comparable bodies. Although humans and chimps have the same muscle structures, primates are much stronger than humans. In a one-on-one fight, the edge goes to the chimp.

Unlike primates, humans have slow-twitch muscle fibers, limiting human strength. The positive is these muscles allow humans to have more endurance than a chimp. While primates have a ton of power, they don’t have the endurance to run a marathon. Scientists are still searching for reasons why humans and primates have these differences while sharing many similarities. 

9. Why Do We Have Viruses in Our Bodies?

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The human body contains all kinds of different bacteria. The body comprises trillions of viruses coursing through the bloodstream. Many of the microbes aid our body with healing cuts, digestion, and fighting off diseases. For the rest, scientists are baffled by their presence.

While most of these viruses help us, the rest of them perplex the greatest minds. Scientists have yet to learn the functions of these other viruses in our bodies. It’s estimated that only 1% of all viruses have been researched, meaning we have a long way to go before we understand all the viruses in the human body. 

10. What Is Consciousness?

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For centuries, consciousness has puzzled brilliant scientists. While all humans experience consciousness, it’s not something people can pick out in a lineup. There isn’t a specific location for consciousness in the brain.

Researchers propose consciousness doesn’t come from one area in the brain. Instead, it comes from multiple spots working together. The brain is so complex that understanding consciousness is almost impossible. This hasn’t stopped scientists continuing to research one of the greatest mysteries of the human body.